Super-dairy bosses scrap public meeting
Developers have scrapped a public meeting aimed at answering questions about a proposed super-dairy.
Bosses at Nocton Dairies Ltd had pledged to address residents' concerns about their 8,100 cow dairy plan for Nocton at a meeting in the village tonight.
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A member of the public looks at the plan in Nocton Village Hall.
But after a flood of criticisms – most of them from people living outside the area – the firm say "national interest" in the meeting means it will no longer be the best forum for locals to raise questions.
The announcement comes as objections to the dairy proposals mount.
More than 600 people have lodged comments with officials – most of which have criticised the plans.
Business chiefs have hailed the planned development – which could create more than 80 jobs.
In a statement, the company said: "We will do our utmost to find a way to talk to the residents of all of the nearby villages who have a genuine right to express their concerns about this project and to require us to act on those concerns.
"If this means meeting all of the residents individually then this is what we will attempt to do."
For more on the dairy, see Monday's Echo.
9 Comments
by Charlie, lincoln
Monday, March 15 2010, 6:42PM
“Its what they haven't said that is more telling. On the site in Devon where they have a 1750 head herd, requires 90 Tonnes of feed per day. Pro-rata for 8100 head, this means 416 Tonnes of feed per day. That will have to be shipped in by lorry, which at an estimate of 35 Tonnes per lorry, will mean 12 lorries per day. And this is just for feed!
Also, something else to keep in mnd re comments about meeting each local individually, the phrase " divide and conquer".
I should also like to remind the owners of Nocton Daires/Parkham Farms that the idea behind the 'public' consultation period is just that. It is not a 'local public only' consultation. The welfare of the environment wherever it is is everyones concern.”
by Linda, lincoln
Monday, March 15 2010, 6:21PM
“I agree wholeheartedly with Dan, Jim, Bill_Door and Steve - I have been saying for weeks that if this gets planning permission then there will be an environmental disaster waiting to happen. Of course there are major environmental concerns, with water pollution and traffic concerns with the influx of vehicles - not to mention the animal welfare concerns. Everyone within a 10 mile radius will be affected by this monolith on the landscape - an animal concentration camp - oh sorry "Dairy Farm". Of course Louth market will also feel the impact of calves to the slaughter etc. and increasing the risk of diseases for the Lincolnshire Red Cattle etc.
I may not live in Nocton but I do live in Lincoln and was born and bred in Lincolnshire. I do care what happens in my county - unlike (or so it would appear) the owners of Nocton Dairies and Parkham Farms - those with the large bank balance! - who merely pay their fines for polluting rivers in Devon and pay their fines for illegal antibiotics for their dairy herds - this can be viewed on the defra website dated 7th January 2005:
Peter Willes, a director of Willes Farming Ltd, was given a 12 month conditional discharge yesterday after pleading guilty to veterinary medicines offences. He was also ordered to pay costs of £4,000.
As Nocton Dairies and some others have stated that - this is just a local issue, do we extend this to not being concerned about what happens in the rest of the world?”
by steve Dunston, Dunston
Monday, March 15 2010, 5:19PM
“Point 1. in America it is illegal to build a 'super' dairy within 2 miles of a village
Point 2. the water table is going to be effected by the slurry, all of you in Lincoln that drink the water drilled from here want to take note and start to worry
Point 3. smells will carry for over 5 miles on a warm and breezy day, have a look how close that comes to Lincoln.
Point 4. check the previous planning record in other projects involving the company who is applying
Point 5. ask if animal welfare is a consideration in the planning application.”
by Bill_Door, Lincoln
Monday, March 15 2010, 4:22PM
“If anyone thinks this will not affect Branston, they are wrong. Where will all the traffic that this dairy will generate be going? On the B1188. Either into Lincoln or on to Sleaford but either way, there will be lots more lorries on an already busy 'red route' road.”
by Jim, Branston
Monday, March 15 2010, 12:58PM
“I think you're missing the point, Amanda.
There isn't going to be any kind of meeting for anyone - including those of us who are relatively 'local'.
What are they afraid of, and what are they trying to hide from us?”
by Amanda, Branston
Monday, March 15 2010, 11:24AM
“I don't blame them for cancelling to be honest. If you look at the planning app website most of the comments are not even from people who live in Dunston. If there is going to be a meeting for local residents to voice their concerns then it should be locals !”
by brian, washingborough
Monday, March 15 2010, 9:34AM
“What a load of poppycock!”
by karl, lincoln
Monday, March 15 2010, 8:40AM
“Dan.i am guilty here in the fact that i didnt really mind if the dairy came or not as it isnt on my doorstep,
but i am the first to put my hands up and admit that something is amiss here for them to withdraw from a consulation.looks like the ones who could be bothered have found something that was being covered up.well done to you all that could be bothered.”
by Dan, Lincoln
Monday, March 15 2010, 7:06AM
“It's pretty obvious that the people behind these plans expected to get away with it without anyone noticing what was really involved.
Well done everyone who looked further into it, found out what the plans really were, and objected.
No wonder they're frightened of holding a public meeting - they know they can't deal with any of the questions that will be asked about the detail.”